There are many steps you need to take in order to “become a freelance writer”. The first step is to read, read, and read. By learning from those who have gone before you, you can get an idea of what your job is as a writer - to convey information in a way that will hold the interest of the reader, while being informative and logical. If you have been told that you are “a good writer” or that you “have a gift” don’t assume that everyone will want to read what you write. You may be able to write 10 pages of concise factual information on the mating habits of fruit flies, but unless you are a biologist (or a glutton for punishment) you are not likely to get much enjoyment from reading the paper.
Reading improves your vocabulary and can provide direction
Many authors are influenced by their predecessors and develop a style similar, but still unique, to the style of that author. Just as a musician studies the works of the great composers who have gone before taking bits of knowledge, style, and substance and using them as a springboard for their own creative genius, the writer has to acknowledge that he is going to use the same words as every other writer, but put them together in such a way as to claim unique ownership. Plagiarism is never, ever acceptable.
The second step is to read, but more specifically to read as much as possible about the art and the craft of writing. There are vast stores of knowledge contained in books by authors and teachers which can give tips and provide guidance as to how a writer behaves in daily routine, how to tell if one “has what it takes” to be dedicated to the “work”, and pitfalls to be avoided. Fianlly, one must practise, practise, practise. We are not born with the abilities we use in our daily lives, we aare taught by repetition how to survive and thrive. A concert pianist, unless he is a gifted prodigy, does not start out his career playing Chopin, but rather Chopsticks. A major league pitcher does not start out throwing 90+ mph fastballs he starts out with t-ball. In conclusion I would recommend starting out slowly and taking small steps.
Put a pencil and paper in a conspicuous place and write for 15 minutes a day every day for two weeks
Nothing specific, just random observations of the world around you like what you can see in your bedroom when you wake up every day described in great detail as if describing the room to a blind person. Describe what you see, hear, feel, taste, and smell. Do not reread any of the sessions till the end of the two weeks. Exercise two: choose a time of day; whether it be from 4 to 4:15 in the afternoon or 12 noon to 12:15 and write fot those 15 minutes. Do not let anything interrupt your routine - phone conversations, peers, weather, whatever; be writing for those 15 minutes. If you want to write short poems that is fine as long as you are putting pen to paper. If you have the discipline to do these two tasks without fail, you more than likely will succeed as a writer or at least have a better chance than the dreamer who always is “going to write” a novel, or the braggart who reads someone elses work and boasts how much better he could have done it.
Getting published
Once you know this to be your calling and or passion and you have started to develop a routine it is time to start looking for ways to get published. Look on the internet, read how others have become successful or found a niche for their work,or (dare I say it) go ahead and plunge right in and mail off short pieces to magazine editors (having done the research on how editors behave; read: learn the rules of engagement beforehand!) and see if anyone takes interest. Most of all, have fun with what you do, because no job is so tedious as one that holds no interest for the performer.
